Drake appeals defamation ruling in Kendrick Lamar song dispute

Drake appeals court dismissal of defamation case over Kendrick Lamar’s song

Drake has officially filed a notice of appeal in his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) concerning Kendrick Lamar’s hit song Not Like Us.

The appeal follows a recent dismissal of the case by a US District Court, which ruled that the song’s lyrics did not constitute defamation.

The filing, submitted Wednesday, signals Drake’s intention to challenge the court’s decision. A representative for the rapper told Variety, “This confirms our intent to appeal, and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing that filing in the coming weeks.” UMG has not publicly responded to the appeal notice.

Drake initially filed the lawsuit in January 2025, claiming that UMG intentionally defamed him by promoting Not Like Us, a track from his rap battle with Kendrick Lamar.

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After UMG moved to dismiss the case, Drake refiled an amended complaint focusing on events that occurred after the original filing, including Lamar’s Super Bowl performance of the track and its play at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

On October 9, District Judge Jeannette Vargas dismissed the lawsuit, calling Not Like Us a “nonactionable opinion.” The ruling emphasized that statements made in the context of rap battles or public debate are often understood as rhetorical, hyperbolic, or opinion-based rather than factual claims that could be considered defamatory.

Drake’s notice of appeal marks the next chapter in the ongoing legal dispute, which continues to draw attention from fans, media, and the music industry.